Delaware Supreme Court Justice Henry duPont Ridgely will be stepping down as of January 31st.
That’s a year and half before his term actually ends.
It has long been rumored that the Justice would leave the bench and it gives Governor Jack Markell the opportunity to name a fourth Delaware Supreme Court Justice in less than a year.
This has been a historic turnover for the state’s highest court.
In December of last year Chief Justice Myron Steele left the bench.
That was followed by Jack Jacobs and Carolyn Berger earlier this year.
Among the appointments Markell has made was the new Chief Justice Leo Strine in February of this year.
The only remaining judge on the bench appointed before this year is Justice Randy Holland who has served since 1986.